DA: Theft suspects do meth after police stop

STEVENS POINT (WAOW) – Two people stopped by police following a report of shoplifting in Plover “shot up” methamphetamine while waiting for a sheriff's deputy to come back from his car, according to a criminal complaint.

One of four people arrested in what the suspects say was a theft ring designed to get drugs told investigators “it was a relief to get caught because he was tired of being sick (heroin withdrawals) and other bad things happening, such as having a gun directed at him,” the complaint said.

Leah Luedtke, 34, of Mosinee, Chad Wampole, 31, of Mosinee, Jahn Tinglum, 21, of Mauston and Shawnya Goetz, 34, of Portage were each charged Monday with at least two felony counts of theft and possession of illegal drugs, according to online Portage County Circuit Court records.

The investigation began when police in Plover were called to Walmart on Feb. 5 to investigate a report that a man and woman pushed a cart “full of items” outside and left in a silver car, the criminal complaint said.

Police said the items shoplifted from the store were worth about $1,200, the complaint said.

Four people – two men and two women - were later stopped after the silver car was spotted on Interstate 39, the complaint said.

Some of the suspects told police they agreed to shoplift items for others in exchange for drugs, the complaint said.

The complaint said drugs were used shortly after a sheriff's deputy stopped the suspect car. “Shawnya stated after he (the deputy) made contact with them and went back to his squad, both Jahn and Chad shot up meth,” the complaint said.